In 1996, everything seemed to be going my way. I reluctantly left Dennis Miller Live at the advice of my management who wanted me to branch out in other areas. Though I’d miss working at Dennis’s show, I decided to give notice because I ultimately wanted to push myself in as many different creative directions as possible. I was determined to explore just how far my abilities could take me. I was inundated with offers for many intriguing projects, and I embraced my new challenges with vigor.

Oddly, though things were going as well as I could possibly hope for, I began to feel pangs of discontentment. I wasn’t really sure why. I ignored the feelings, figuring they were the natural by-product of the restlessness that all humans feel from time to time...